US urges talks, ceasefire in Syria's Sweida

WASHINGTON, July 16 (Reuters) - Washington's ambassador to Turkey on Wednesday called for a "step back" and negotiations to get to a ceasefire in Syria's city of Sweida and condemned violence against civilians.

"We unequivocally condemn violence against civilians in Suwayda. Full stop. All parties must step back and engage in meaningful dialogue that leads to a lasting ceasefire. Perpetrators need to be held accountable," Tom Barrack wrote in a post on X, using an alternate spelling for the city where clashes between Syrian government troops and local Druze fighters have broken out hours after a ceasefire agreement.